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"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre aims to present an accurate history as chroniclers of early Australian military developments from 1899 to 1920.

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre site holds over 12,000 entries and is growing daily.

Contact: Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

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Friday, 15 February 2008
9th LHR AIF War Diary, 15 February
Topic: AIF - 3B - 9 LHR

9th LHR, AIF

9th Light Horse Regiment

War Diary, 15 February

Pro Gloria et Honore - For Glory and Honour

Regimental March -  Marching Through Georgia

 

 

The following entries are extracted and transcribed from the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, the originals of which are held by the Australian War Memorial. There are 366 entries on this site. Each day has entries as they occurred from 1914 to 1919. In addition to the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, when appropriate, entries from the 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary and other regiments with the Brigade will also appear. Entries from the unit history, Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924 will also appear from time to time. The aim is to give the broadest context to the story and allow the reader to follow the day to day activities of the regiment. If a relative happened to have served in the regiment during the Great War, then this provides a general framework in which the individual story may be told.

 

The Diary

 

1914

Sunday, February 15, 1914

See 4th Military District, South Australia for militia activities.

 

1915

Monday, February 15, 1915

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - HMAT A10 "Karroo", at sea.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary -  No entry.


Carew Reynell Diary - I finished mucking out the No. 1 Hold [68 horses] with five parties of 3 to 4 men each and a party to haul up manure and had all mats taken up, cleaned and put back in 45 minutes and Scott paid up.

Each party had two vacant stalls to work on and as they cleaned them shifted the next two horses down and so on.

The record time was made by Private Hahn's party who thoroughly mucked out and swept 18 stalls which entailed shifting 16 horses and finished them in 36 minutes. This will be a ships record for some time I think.

All mucking out was finished in every hold today before breakfast but the Poop Deck was not completed - only one spare stall to about 40 horses.
A fair sea running today and nearly half down with seasickness again. Two pneumonia cases temperature down to normal and doing well. All others well.

 

1916

Tuesday, February 15, 1916

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Heliopolis, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Practice turnout dismounted 2400.

 

1917

Thursday, February 15, 1917

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Hod Masaid, Sinai.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Squadrons carried out field firing, advancing under covering fire.

 

1918

Friday, February 15, 1918

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Deir el Belah, Palestine.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary -  Second rehearsal for Commander In Chief's inspection.

 

1919

Saturday, February 15, 1919

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Tripoli, Lebanon.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0800 Kit inspection and complete check of shortages.

1400, Inter-Regimental football match held. 9th Light Horse Regiment versus 8th Light Horse Regiment. It was won by 9th Light Horse Regiment: 6 goals 11 behinds to 6 goals 8 behinds.

 


Previous: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 14 February

Next: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 16 February

 

Sources:

See: 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Contents

 

Further Reading:

9th Light Horse Regiment AIF

Bert Schramm Diary

9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour 

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 15 February

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Saturday, 17 July 2010 11:47 AM EADT
Gallipoli Campaign - 1915-16, 2nd Stationary Hospital Australian Army Medical Corps, AIF, Roll of Honour
Topic: BatzG - Gallipoli

Gallipoli Campaign - 1915-16

2nd Stationary Hospital Australian Army Medical Corps

AIF

Roll of Honour

 

Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra

 

The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men from the 2nd Stationary Hospital Australian Army Medical Corps who gave their lives during the Gallipoli Campaign - 1915 - 1916.

 

Roll of Honour

 

4082 Private Luther Alfred WINZER, Died of Disease, 28 August 1915.

 

Lest We Forget

 

 

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.

Embarkation Rolls, AWM8.

Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.

AWM Roll of Honour

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

 

Finding more about a service person.

See: Navigating the National Archives Service File 

 

Further Reading:

2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Gallipoli Campaign - 1915-16

Gallipoli Campaign - 1915-16, Unit Casualties, AIF, Roll of Honour

Light Horse Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920



Citation: Gallipoli Campaign - 1915-16, 2nd Stationary Hospital Australian Army Medical Corps, AIF, Roll of Honour

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Friday, 22 July 2011 2:12 PM EADT
Thursday, 14 February 2008
The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Humphris Letter, 25 September 1915
Topic: BatzA - Liverpool

Australian Battles 

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916

Humphris Letter, 25 September 1915

 

Liquor sale letter by Lt Col Humphris

 

The letter sent by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Francis Humphris, DSO, VD, regarding the sale of Liquor to members of the AIF near the training camps.

 

District Headquarters Camp Staff
Ascot Vale


SUBJECT, SALE OF LIQUOR TO MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE FROM PUBLIC HOUSES IN THE VICINITY OF CAMPS.


The subject "Soldiers and Liquor" has frequently engaged any attention since I nave been in charge of Camps of the A. I. F.

I have given the question of canteens in camps much thought and I am of opinion that on the whole it is better not to have wet canteens in camps.

I have known many instances of men breaking camp for no ether reason than to obtain liquor but such men are only a small minority and I would not establish a canteen to satisfy the cravings of these soldiers.

In the camps of the A. I. F. there are many young soldiers who have never touched liquor. These men, if a canteen were established in camp, would sooner or later acquire a taste for stimulants. A soldier's life in Camp is such that many young men of weak moral fibre cannot resist the jeers of comrades levelled at them if they decline to take the daily pint if such can be obtained in camp. Therefore I would not put temptation in their way. Many other men who, in civil life have been accustomed to take at least some stimulants during the day, feel the deprivation keenly on first joining the camp, but soon become accustomed to doing without. Many of them assure me that they have been glad of the opportunity to break off the habit.

The treating of soldiers by civilians is a frequent cause of trouble. Many men become intoxicated through the mistaken kindness of friends, If it were made a misdemeanour to treat any man in uniform or known to be a soldier it would have a good effect.

Picketing of hotels in the metropolitan area is out of the question owing to their number. Hotels in the vicinity of camps have, in numerous instances, been placed out of bounds with good effect, but it takes quite a numerous force of men to make efficient any such measures.

More effect would be obtained by regulations prohibiting the sale of Liquor to any soldier at all under the influence of drink, and the closing of any stab hotel to soldiers where a conviction has been obtained, would make a licenses careful about offending.

Keeping liquor out of camps is a matter of camp discipline and a strong hand, vigilance, and frequent raids and heavy penalties keeps such traffic within a small compass.

JF Humphris
Lt. Col,
25/9/15.
Camps Commandant.
ASCOT VALE

 

Biography of Joseph Francis Humphris, DSO, VD

See: Joseph Francis Humphris

 

War Diaries and Letters

All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:

Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy 

 

 

Further Reading:

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Roll of Honour

Australian Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Humphris Letter, 25 September 1915

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Friday, 6 May 2011 7:27 AM EADT
The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Liverpool Military Camp Site Committee Report, 13 December 1915
Topic: BatzA - Liverpool

Australian Battles 

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916

Liverpool Military Camp Site Committee Report, 13 December 1915

 

Report of the Liverpool Military Camp Site Committee, 13 December 1915

 

The following document is the final report handed down by the Liverpool Military Camp Site Committee on 13 December 1915. The Committee was formed to overcome the problems associated with the camp and endeavoured to head off any potential problems. The results speak for themselves.

 

BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH

Liverpool Military Camp Site Committee. Appointed 5 October, 1915

Report, Conclusions, & Recommendations.

13 December, 1915.


The object of a Military Camp in time of war is to prepare men for the fighting line. The Camp will fail in its main object whenever men are lost to the forces, either temporarily or permanently, through ill-health or death. It will also fail if the conditions of camp life become so notorious as to discourage recruiting. By common repute both of these elements of failure were associated with Liverpool Camp, and, since the suitability of the Camp site was excluded from Mr. Justice Rich's Commission, public misgivings were not allayed.

These considerations prompted a number of medical men to approach the Council of the New South Wales Branch of the British Medical Association with the request that it would select a Committee of investigation which should offer its services to the Minister for Defence to report on the Liverpool Camp Site from a medical standpoint. That Committee, having been approved and accredited by the Minister, has personally inspected the Camp and the conditions of camp life at Liverpool, and has otherwise obtained official and first-hand information. It has now the honour to submit the following Report, Conclusions, and Recommendations.


REPORT.

The question of the suitability of the Liverpool Camp Site on medical grounds may be considered under three headings:-

1. The physical characteristics of the site.

2. The health of the encamped troops.

3. The relations of the site to its surroundings.


1. Physical Characteristics.

The Camp is situated on a level plain on the right or eastern bank of George's River just above the junction of the fresh water with the tidal river. The fresh water is separated from the tidal or salt water river by a weir, the position of which almost exactly coincides with the northern boundary of the Camp.

The site occupied by the Camp is about 1½ miles long with a breadth varying from ¼ mile to about ½ mile. It is roughly rectangular in shape with the longer axis lying parallel to the course of the river. The site is bounded on the west by George's River, on the north and east by a made road, and on the south by bush-covered land.

The surface of the site is about 21 to 23 feet above the existing level of the water in the river. Inquiries have been made by the Committee as to the likelihood of the site being affected by floods. We were unable to ascertain the existence of any official records bearing upon this point, but the result of inquiries made among persons who have known the district for long periods of time do not indicate the occurrence of floods sufficiently high to overflow the,, Camp site within recent years. The manager of a wool-washing plant, situated on the left bank of the river at a lower level than the Camp site, stated that, although he had known the district for many years, he had never known the river to rise high enough to flood the ground on which his works stand.

One important matter, to which attention was directed, concerned the likelihood of storm-water lodging upon the surface of the Camp and water logging the soil. There appears to be very little cause to fear this contingency. It is true that, although the surface of the site is, in the main, level, there are many shallow depressions in which water might lodge, and the western boundary of the Camp, where it overhangs he river bank, is actually slightly higher than the general surface. On the other hand the surface soil throughout the Came consists of a light sandy loam too porous to hold water so as to become waterlogged. Moreover, surface drains can very easily be cut so as to drain any localised depression into the river. As a matter of fact this has been done already for nearly all the lower areas of the Camp.

The light sandy surface soil referred to is very variable in its depth. An examination of the numerous drainage cute throughout the Camp led us to form the opinion that, on the greater part of the site, it averaged about 18 inches to 2 feet in depth. As it approaches the river it extends deeper, and in places is at least 10 feet in depth. The subsoil consists of clay, considerably admixed with sand as it approaches the surface; but attaining a stiff consistency at the lower level.

Two permanent or semi-permanent waterholes exist towards the southern extremity of the Camp. Both are deep, and probably lie wholly within and upon the clay subsoil which underlies the Camp site. In each case the surface of the water in these holes is considerably (5 feet or more) below the level of the general surface. This water appears to be derived entirely from rain-storms; a conclusion which is supported by its shrinkage during the recent dry weather. The only indication of the height of the subsoil water in the Camp is in a disused well attached to an old dwelling near the centre of the Camp on its western side. The level of the water in this well is about 20 feet from the surface.

We consider the site to be fortunate in its soil, which is a healthy one, and of such a nature as to facilitate drainage and the rapid removal of waste products. The chief drawback is that it is so friable as to render the Camp very subject to dust storms. This drawback may be greatly reduced by such measures as re-making the roads which adjoin the Camp, forming permanent roads within the Camp, and treating the surface between the men's huts with "soluble tar" or other suitable dust-laying preparations. We further recommend that no drilling be done on the Camp site in order to avoid pulverising the surface

The objection has been put forward to the site that it is low-lying and subject to fogs. Both these allegations are true within limits. On the other hand the elevation of the site is higher than that of many healthy areas around Sydney, Melbourne, and other large cities. Fogs, unless they are associated with an excess of smoke or other products of human activities, as in great cities, are not in themselves known to be unhealthy, although they have a depressing effect on certain individuals.

The Camp site is almost destitute of trees; and so is lacking in shade and the other beneficial effects of vegetation. It is desirable that this defect should be remedied without delay by the systematic planting of trees.

We consider that the disadvantages mentioned furnish reasons for improving the local conditions rather than for changing the site.


2. Health of the Troops.

It has not been possible to obtain data for final adjudication concerning the health of the troops during their stay at Liverpool Camp, as the complete figures are not available at the present time. We have at our disposal, however, a record of the deaths which actually occurred in the Camp, as reported, in accordance with the law, to the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages at Liverpool, and of the deaths of soldiers from the Camp which occurred at various metropolitan hospitals, to which they had been removed for treatment. Whilst it cannot be claimed that the figures given are absolutely accurate (because it is possible that sick soldiers may have returned to their homes and there died, and correct information of such cases cannot be obtained), it is believed that there is no serious omission, and that the figures given are reasonably representative of the mortality.

We find from the sources mentioned that, between January and September 30, 1915, the total number of deaths was 53, assigned to various causes, as follows:

Measles and Pneumonia17
Pneumoniainal Meningitis16
Alcoholism1
Haemoptysis1
Septicaemia1
Acute colitis1
Accident or violence3
Sunstroke1
Total53


For an ordinary mixed civilian population of the same magnitude as that of the Camp this number would give a very low mortality. But considering that the Military Service represents a picked male population, of which the units are at a period of life comparatively little liable to disease and death, a different and lees favourable aspect is put on the figures. It is to be noted, however, that sore than half the deaths were caused by epidemic diseases - measles, and cerebro-spinal meningitis - which were unusually prevalent amongst the general community, and exacted from it also their toll of death, during the same period. That such diseases should reach the Camp was inevitable, and, once introduced, their spread would be fostered by camp conditions. These conditions include close association of individuals in tents or huts, and the frequent re-introduction of infection from fresh drafts of recruits. Moreover, many of the individuals in the Camp had lived a rural life and had been but slightly exposed to the infections common in large cities. They had, therefore, not acquired the immunity which is found among persona who are frequently exposed to infection. Of the remaining causes of death the only one which possesses significance from the point of view of this deport is pneumonia. This has been serious enough to demand special consideration.

We do not know the precise extent to which pneumonia prevailed in the Camp; but, as a matter of observation, it is certain that respiratory troubles were extremely prevalent, ranging from simple colds to the severe pneumonias which revealed themselves in the fatality lists. We have no doubt that the chief factors in the dissemination of these respiratory diseases were the camp conditions to which we have already referred.

These conditions were aggravated by the overcrowding and defective ventilation of the sleeping quarters. Chills, consequent on exposure and neglect to change wet clothing, may have been operative by inducing a lowered resistance to disease. And, in this connection, we cannot ignore the injurious effect of alcohol. Not only does over-indulgence in alcohol predispose to pneumonia, but it materially reduces the chance of recovery from the disease; and, in all probability, it contributed to the fatality from pneumonia at, Liverpool.

The drinking habit must also be regarded as a powerful predisposing cause of venereal diseases. These diseases do not give rise to direct mortality and so do not show among the causes of death. But we are aware that the diseases have occurred to a considerable extent and that special measures have had to be taken to deal with them. We regard their existence among the troops as due largely to the loss of moral restraint induced by alcohol.

The complete absence of enteric fever, and the almost complete absence of other forms of enteritis, in remarkable.

It is a tribute to the efficiency of the sanitary administration of the Camp. Medical reports from armies in other parts of the world indicate the value of protective inoculation against enteric fever, so that it is likely that this measure has been of service to us here.


3. Relation of the Camp to its Surroundings.

From the point of view of this Committee considerations under this heading group themselves round the questions of water supply, the disposal of refuse, the prevalence of mosquitoes and other insect pests, and the very important matters of alcoholism among the troops, and defective ventilation of the sleeping quarters.

The first of these matters may be dismissed with the statement that, in this regard, the situation of the Camp is admirable, since it is within reach of an abundance of very pure water from the pipe mains which supply Sydney. Ample water, fit for sprinkling the open spaces of the Camp and for bathing purposes, can easily be obtained from the adjacent river, which is also available for the troops to swim in.

As regards refuse disposal the Camp is also well situated, since, within a distance of a mile from its southern boundary, there is an extensive area of very sandy soil forming a site, suitable in all respects for the burial of the excrete, of the Camp, should conservancy methods continue to be employed. On the other hand should it seem desirable to install a water carriage system of treating excreta, complete facilities exist for the construction of a septic tank and the disposal of the effluent there from in the tidal waters below the weir. Even without a septic tank all the sullage waters of the Camp could easily be diverted into the tidal river by the introduction of an intercepting drain and the erection of a pumping plants and this we recommend should be done.

Mosquitoes are said to be very numerous in the Camp in Summer. Their presence on land so near a river basin is probably inevitable; but their number may be greatly diminished by the employment of precautions such as the drainage of small water holes and the regular sprinkling of the larger bonds with petroleum. The provision of mosquito netting for the troops may be Necessary. The fly pest does not appear specially to affect the neighbourhood of Liverpool; and this also could be dealt with effectually by tie application of suitable measures.

Defective ventilation and overcrowding in the sleeping huts could be remedied in simple ways, namely:-

(a) by opening the roof along the whole length of the ridge;

(b) by taking out the whole of one side of the hut on its northern exposure; and

(c) by providing sleeping bunks, made of iron, arranged one above the other, the lower raised about 1 foot above the floor.

This would avoid the men being packed so closely together as they are now, and would prevent them from breathing into one another's faces, and thus transmitting infection. At present they lie on the floor in a layer of fetid air laden with dust and bacteria.

The convenience of access to the Camp by train from Sydney, and the proximity of the Camp to large areas of level land suitable for the manoeuvring and training of troops are circumstances, which, no doubt, were regarded as of high importance on military grounds in the selection of the site.

The situation of the Camp has an important bearing on the question of alcoholic indulgence with its attendant evil effects upon the health of the troops.

Partly from conversations with medical and other military officers connected with the Camp, and partly from the personal observations of many of our members, it has come to the knowledge of the Committee that there is a lamentable amount of alcoholic indulgence among the troops in the Camp. It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the disastrous consequences of this state of affairs especially in regard to young men in training for the hard life of a soldier. We have referred in previous sections of the Report to the influence of alcohol upon pneumonia and the venereal diseases.

The situation of the Camp, so near to the town of Liverpool with its hotels and temptations to promiscuous sexual indulgence, and so convenient of access to Sydney, has, in the opinion of the Committee, been responsible in no small measure for the extent to which alcoholism and venereal diseases have affected the troops. From this point of view the site of the Camp must be considered undesirable.

This objection to the site, is, however, not insuperable; inasmuch as it may be overcome, to a great extent, by suitable administrative measures, such as placing the town of Liverpool out of bounds to soldiers, and limiting ordinary leave to hours of daylight. Such measures would be particularly easy to enforce at the Liverpool Camp owing to the natural barrier which George's River interposes between the town of Liverpool and the Camp.

The Committee considers that the restrictions now in force on the sale of alcohol to the troops are, in one direction, too strict and, in another, too lax. It is a hardship to some men that they have not reasonable access to alcoholic beverages within the limits of the Camp; and this enforced postponement may lead to greater excess afterwards. The Committee is of opinion that the establishment of & .properly regulated wet canteen within the Camp would meet a want, and would lessen the tendency to drunkenness. The non-alcoholic beverages sold at the Canteen should be served attractively, and suitable entertainments of good quality provided. Whisky and other highly intoxicating liquors should be excluded.

On the other hand the sale of alcohol to soldiers should be absolutely prohibited, both inside and outside the Camp, after 8 p.m.. The Committee recognises that men may wish to take alcohol with their evening meal, and that, in most cases, the hurtful drinking is done after 8 p.m.. In this direction attention is directed to the still more stringent measures to this end which it has been found necessary to adopt in Great Britain.


GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.

The general conclusions reached by the Committee are:

1. That the site of Liverpool Camp, while not ideal, is, nevertheless, not inherently bad on medical grounds.

2. That certain circumstances, more or less independent of the site, have been responsible for such of the disease and disability, and, probably, for some of the deaths at the Camp.

3. That the conditions of camp life have been improved recently, and may be still further improved by appropriate administrative and constructional measures.



RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee makes the following recommendations, namely:

1. That a complete system of road intersection be determined for the whole land after being laid out according to the purposes for which the respective portions thereof are required; the roads to be properly constructed for heavy or light traffic, as the case may be, and completed with guttering, kerbing, and footpaths.

2. That immediate steps be taken to !sears that the public roads, which run alongside and through the Camp and in its neighbourhood, be properly constructed for bearing traffic without the creation of any dust nuisances.

3. That the drill ground, if there is to be a drill ground within the Camp area, be permanently constructed with a surface of asphalt or other suitable material, or with the natural surface so treated as to avoid the production of duet; and that, until this is done, a drill ground be found outside the Camp, the dusk from which will not affect the area occupied by the huts or tents where the men sleep.

4. That all water holes be filled up and depressions levelled, and the surface drained, so that all rainwater may flow away without sinking into the ground to any injurious extent.

5. That trees, shrubs, and grass be planted, and gardens plaid out, wherever practicable.

6. That fences be erected or hedges grown, where suitable, to break the force of the wind, and to intercept the dust.

7. That the sleeping quarters be constructed with a view to adequate ventilation, which would be best obtained (a) by having an opening in the roof of the hut extending along the whole length of the ridge; (b) by leaving the north side of the hut open; and (a) by providing sleeping bunks, preferably made of iron, arranged in two rows, one above the other, the lower being at least one fort from the floor.

8. That for the disposal of sullage waters from the baths, laundries, and kitchens, which at the present time finds its way by gravitation into the river, or into the so called billabong, a special drain, either open or covered, running parallel with the river, be constructed, and the overflow there from be delivered, by pumping or otherwise, into the tidal waters of the river at a sufficient distance below the weir; also that the billabong itself be drained.

9. That the town of Liverpool be placed out of bounds between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m..

10. That a wet canteen, as described in the Report, be established at the Camp.

11. That the sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages to soldiers, both inside and outside the Camp, after 8 p.m. be prohibited.

12. That evening entertainments, such as lectures, concerts, bands, moving pictures, and theatricals, be systematically organised at the Camp by the Camp authorities.

13. That every man found intoxicated in, or on returning to, the Camp be sent to isolation quarters for medical observation and treatment until he is fully recovered.

14. That systematic attention be paid to personal cleanliness and that each recruit be supplied with a copy of Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart's Lecture "How to keep fit".


War Diaries and Letters

All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:

Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy 

 

 

Further Reading:

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Roll of Honour

Australian Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Liverpool Military Camp Site Committee Report, 13 December 1915

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Friday, 6 May 2011 7:24 AM EADT
The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Ashford Letter, 15 February 1916
Topic: BatzA - Liverpool

Australian Battles 

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916

Ashford Letter, 15 February 1916

 

Ashford Letter, 15 February 1916

 

The following was written by 1868 Private Henry George Ashford of the 59th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement. He wanted to tell his story of the strike and riot which was at variance to that reported in the press. Later on Ashford embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 4 May 1916 and served in France where he was transferred to the 57th Battalion. Ashford was Killed in Action at Gueudecourt, France, 23 November 1916 while relieving a firing line trench.

 

Casula Camp
February 15th 1915

My Dear Aunt

I received your welcome letter the other day, and I must apologise for not answering it before now, but I was in Sydney over Saturday + Sunday + Monday. I expect you have heard about the riot in Sydney. It now is written about. It was a bad enough last night, but a mob have gone in tonight from Casula and I think that there will be a lot of mischief done tonight. The worst of these riots is that all the soldiers in the camp are blamed for what a few hundred of drunken roughs do. I expect that you all think that the soldiers down here are a rotten mob, bet there a some of as fine + fellows here as you could find in any part of the world. The soldiers do not get a fair deal, anyhow. The civilians and papers and all are dead against them. We went out on strike yesterday for our rights, + just because a few hundred played up in the city + a few of them got shot, the papers seem to think that all the camp are rotters. So as you will know that we are not as bad as the papers would have a person think, I will tell you how the riot started + all about it. We drill 7½ hours a day, + the General McKay want us to drill 9 hours, + he wants to stop all leave. We were willing enough to work the extra hours, but we were not going to have our leave stopped, so at breakfast time yesterday morning a mass meeting was formed + we decided not to drill under the new regulations. It says in the paper that we were told that if we liked to go back to our lines + drill, everything would be made right again, but no such offer was made. About six thousand Casula men lined up and marched over to Liverpool. When Liverpool saw Casula out, they turned out too. No satisfactory arrangements could be made with the OC of Liverpool Camp, + the officers advised us to go to Sydney + see Colonel General McKay. About ten thousand boarded the trains + went to Sydney. When we got to Sydney the whole mob lined up and we marched through George St + Pitt St + all through the main places. The march could not have been more orderly + better behaved if we had had all the spare officers in Australia with us. McKay refused to see us and then the crowd dispersed. Most came straight back to Casula + Liverpool. When we went to Sydney a thousand or so men could not get on the train at Liverpool, + it was that mob that did the damage at Liverpool. After they were drunk, they went on to Sydney + it was them that made all the disturbances. What first started the rough part of the business, though, was the way that the police carried on. A lot of soldiers were marching along quietly + the police charged them with revolvers + batons. They are the most cold blooded men ever I saw. A returned soldier with  his head all bandaged  up and his arm in a sling was walking along down a street with his girl, + a policeman came up behind him + hit him on the head with his baton and knocked the soldier our. Was it any wonder that the mob rushed that policeman. The only pity is that he was not knocked about the same way as he knocked the soldier. The mounted police were riding down women and children. They did not care who they ran over. It was an awful thing, but there is one thing I can say, and that is that none of the latter chaps were in any of the smashing up part of the row. If a person believes all he reads in the papers he will only hear one side of the affair because everyone seems to be against the soldiers + all the camp is blamed for what a few hundred drunken roughs did. Will you please thank Uncle Frank for thinking of sending me a mattress, but tell him that it would be absolutely impossible to have one in our tent. There are ten of us sleeping in our little tent + a mattress would take up so much room that there would be none left for the other chaps. You must excuse my writing, please, Aunt Fanny, but its pretty hard to write when everyone is shoving the table about. Hoping this finds you all quite well. I remain, your sincere nephew,

George Ashford

War Diaries and Letters

All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:

Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy 

 

 

Further Reading:

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916

The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Roll of Honour

Australian Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: The Battle of Central Station, New South Wales, 14 February 1916, Ashford Letter, 15 February 1916

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Friday, 6 May 2011 7:22 AM EADT

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